The Coronavirus pandemic has brought another setback to every sector
of life across the world. In Liberia’s challenged health system, many
women are said to be ignorant of the threat that smoke poses to their
health while drying fish.

Experts say smoke creates blindness and
other eye problems for people, and Gabrielyn Mombo, resident of West
Point, is one of those involved with drying or smoking fish that is the
major occupation of people in West Point.

“I buy at least 7to 8 cartons of fish
Hiat the cost of L$6000 each, and carry it for drying. We use firewood
to dry it for about 3 to 4 hours daily.”

In the midst of the outbreak of COVID-19, she has reduced the number of cartons purchase daily.

From the sale, she earns about L$400 which is equivalent to 2$US as profit on each carton, depending on the buying.

When asked whether she was aware about the health hazard post-harvest
activities pose to her health; she answered, saying: “I am aware of the
danger, but for now there is no option because this is my only source
of income.”

The 40 year-old woman, who has over 15 years of experience in
post-harvest activities, said that at age 20, her older sister (Evelyn
Mombo) introduced her to the business and informed her about the side
effects in doing such business.

“I am very tired of this job. With the smoke associated with this
business, at my age, I can no longer see from a distance clearly, as my
sister told me before,” she re-emphasized.

“I have 13 children supported by this business,” she stated. She
appealed to the government and other partners to provide a modernized
machine that will reduce the burden and high risk associated with this
business.
However, the setback created by COVID-19 on small-scale businesswomen cannot be over-emphasized.

“Because of this virus we no longer go out to do business as usual, how will our kids survive,” Edwina Siryon asked.

As basic commodity prices are escalating day and night, it is not a
surprise that the prices of fish will also rise. Miss Siryon said in her
appeal to the authorities, especially the National Fisheries and
Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), to prevail on importers of fish to reduce
their prices.

She expressed frustration about the way things are going around the
world, even in Liberia. It may be recalled that, on April 10, 2020, the
government of Liberia declared a state of emergency to curtail the
spread of the virus as is being done by other countries in Africa and
the world at large.

Since the declaration by President George M. Weah, buying,
processing, and selling have automatically reduced due to the increase
in the prices of basic commodities on the local market.

Miss Siryon, who buys and processed fish for local markets from
small-scale fishermen and cold storage, provides a link between the
fishery and consumers.

In Liberia, about 60% of Liberians small -scale fishers are women.
This means that women play a key role in the country’s economy, thereby
mediating social relations and livelihood dynamics.

Fisheries are a major contributor to Liberia’s economy because they
provide a relatively cheap source of animal protein for the consumption
of the population.

Fish currently provides about 65% of animal protein intake and it is significantly cheaper than meat or chicken in Liberia.

Despite small scale business women’s dependence on post-harvest
activities in the fishery sector and the potential importance for food
security, they are proud of the contributions to the Liberian economy.

Sarah Davis is also a small scale businesswoman in New-Kru
Town-Monrovia; she explained her experience to me in this report. She
complained that there are numerous challenges that are associated with
drying fish traditionally.
She named the lack of electricity and storage facilities that could
allow her to store more fish for several days. Madam Davis who is also a
victim is gradually losing her eyes sight, “I am 72 years old, I have
been in this business for about 38 years now. I was able to build two
houses and ensure that all of my children are educated,” she added.

Meanwhile, considering these problems that are coupled with such
business, there is a need for the relevant authorities to create the
necessary awareness ensuring a safe environment.

However, amid the internal and external shocks on the Liberian
economy as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, NaFAA, in consultation
with major fish importers in Liberia, recently reached an agreement to
have a reduction of US$2 in the prices of the fish products.

The agreement follows several calls by citizens for the reduction of
prices of some basic community especially fish on the local market.

The decision was part of efforts to ensure continuous food security in Liberia, especially now as residents of Liberia are grapple with the constraints of finding affordable food kinds during the Coronavirus pandemic.